Combined altar and vestment-satchel



(No Model.)

' A.ALEXAND'BR. COMBINED ALTAR AND VESTMBNT SATGHBL.

No. 550,237. Patented Nov. 26,-1895.

-to form the credence-table.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

'ABIJAII ALEXANDER, or MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA.

COMBINED ALTAR AND VESTM ENT-SATCH EL.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 550,237, dated November 26, 1895.

Application filed December 10, 1894.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, ABIJAH ALEXANDER, of the city of Minneapolis, county of Hennepin, State of Minnesota, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in a Combined Portable Altar and Vestment-Satchel, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to a portable altar and combined therewith a satchel to receive the vestments and altar cloths and vessels.

The object of my invention is to provide a portable altar for the use of priests visiting the homes of sick or needy parishioners.

Afurther object is to combine with the altar a satchel having compartments for the vestments of the priest, the altar-cloths, and the altar vessels and ornaments.

A further object is to combine all in so small a device and one of such light weight that it may be very easily carried from place to place.

To this end my invention consists in the combination of a suitable valise-like receptacle having compartments to receivethe vestments and the various articles to be used in the service, and a hinged cover or top which when open forms the reredos of the altar, and, further, an end section which may be lowered The invention will be more readily understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein=-- Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a combined portable altar and vestment-satchel closed and ready to be carried, the handle showing on the top. Fig. 2 is a similar perspective View showing the top of the satchel raised or open and forming the altar-'reredos. Fig. 3 is a similar perspective view showing the intermediate lid or cover raised to show the compartments within the satchel, and, further, showing the credence-table lowered. Fig. 4 is a transverse vertical section.

As shown in the drawings, the device has the appearance of a satchel or case of a rectangular form, the lowerpart 2 thereof hav= ing in one end 3 an opening 4, normally closed by the lid 5, which forms the credence-table when lowered. Any suitable means, such as the metal strip 6, may be employed for sup porting the part 5. This part may, if desired, simply fold against the end of the $erial llo. 531,369. (No model.)

satchel; but it is preferred to make the opening through the end, in order that access may be had to the articles Within the smaller compartment 7 without raising the altar-table portion 8. This portion 8 is hinged at its rear edge, and beneath it are the compartments 7 and 9, the compartment 9 being adapted to receive the altar-cloths and the priests vestments.

The cover or lid 10 of the satchel is of considerable depth or thickness to receive the ornamental portions 11 and the altar ornaments or fixtures. When the cover is folded down, these parts and the altar-table are all thoroughly protected. The top of the inter= mediate lid or altar-table Sis preferably covered with cloth, and from the outer edge thereof the cloth 12 depends, the same being folded outwardly and hanging over the hinges and fastenings, which are on the outside of the case or satchel. Upon this hanging the usual words are printed.

When in use, the altar=cloth is spread across the table and hangs down over the ends, additionally ornamenting the device and con= ceali'ng the outer parts thereof. The satchel is preferably covered with leather or other ornamental material and has a neat and compact appearance. Suitable locks and snaps are provided for securing the cover when lowered, and a convenient handle 14 is provided on the top thereof.

Afurther advantage of my device is, owing to the use of the top satchel portion, the altar-table is raised such a height that the cloths used thereon will not hang down or come into contact with the table or other article upon which the device may be placed.

It is obvious that the satchel portion of the device may be divided into as many compartments as desired.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent- 1. The combination, in a deviceof the class described, of the satchel portion, divided into compartments 7 and 9, and having an end opening 4, permitting access to one of said compartments, ahinged door or cover for closing said opening, means for holding said cover in a horizontal position to permit its use as a credence table, an outer cover or lid 10 to close down over said satchel portion, and when raised to a vertical position to serve as a reredos, saidcover being of suflicient depth to receive the ornamental portions 11 and the altar fixtures and an inner folding lid 8 to cover the top of said compartments, and when closed to serve as an altar table, substantially as described.

2. The combination, with the satchel portion, divided into compartments and having an end opening, With the folding lid to close the said opening or to serve as a credence table, an outer cover or lid adapted to close down over the lower part and when. raised serving as the altar reredos, an inner folding I 5 handle being provided upon the outer lid or 20 cover, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 6th day of December, A. D. 1894.

ABIJAII ALEXANDER.

In presence of G. G. HAVVLEY, M. E. GooLE'Y. 

